Nonfoods

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a new way to head off potential cases of foodborne illness: the Reportable Food Registry (RFR), an electronic portal that food industry officials must now use to alert the agency when they find their products might sicken or kill people or animals. The requirement, a result of legislation, took effect with the launch of the portal.

A recent poll of grocers showed that bulk food sales are up an average of 10 percent at food retailer of all sizes, driven by consumer demand, according to the Little Rock, Ark.-based Bulk Is Green Council.

On the heels of unveiling a multifaceted campaign that aims to put its Fresh Express brand of value-added salads in the national spotlight, Chiquita Brands International, Inc. is gearing up for a major back-to-school effort primarily targeting parents who want to ensure that kids have healthier, more wholesome snack options.

On the heels of Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Kosher gourmet supermarket Pomegranate’s announced plans to offer new selections and recipes for the High Holidays celebrated by Jewish consumers, other grocers have rolled out their own programs.

The Chilean Blueberry Committee has revealed plans for an aggressive winter promotion program aimed at boosting consumer awareness of Chile’s fresh blueberries, which are available from mid-October through March.

Most folks consider prepared foods as a time-and-money-saving option on busy nights, but consumers in the metro Detroit area can now add a charity component to their quick dishes via Hiller’s Markets’ Good Deeds in the Making.

The savory snacking portfolio of Pepperidge Farm® Baked Naturals has gotten bigger with the addition of the Cheese Crisps line.

Visual merchandising (VM) is an indispensable retail discipline, consisting of a series of practical selling tools that are used to influence what and how much consumers buy. Successful retailers -- supermarkets in particular -- can employ effective and integrated VM practices as part of the retail experience and overall brand delivery, to successfully maximize sales and profits in-store -- essentially, it’s a silent selling service of sales-driving levers and tools.